The Mind Cupola: towards a consciousness altering device — An immaterial model for interactive technology-based art production

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel scheme of active spectatorship that suggests a cognitive-driven interaction. It proposes that although this new form is increasing in contemporary interactive art production, it has not drawn attention to its potential as a new form of aesthetics. As such, the discussion provides an account for this interdisciplinary practical application of technology and suggests that an immaterial application of interactivity might revolutionise the previous modalities of interactive art. Exemplifying this, the paper introduces the unique interface “Mind Cupola” (2008), which is an affective artistic system with the aim of producing a new knowledge within the spectator’s consciousness. Through this example, it proposes that this cognition-based approach might generate a more effective modality for human-machine interaction within a new aesthetics. (Fig. 1)